Homily 31 #
On the Same Day [Friday of the Third Week of the Fast]: A Teaching of Saint John Chrysostom on the Reading of Books.
Reading is a good and beneficial practice, especially for every Christian. “Blessed are they that search out His testimonies, that seek Him with the whole heart” (Psalm 118:2). What does it mean to “search out His testimonies”? It means to study His commandments. When you read books, do not rush through them, eager to reach the next chapter, but take the time to understand what is being said. Return to a single chapter and read it three times over. For it is written: “Thy words have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 118:11). He does not say, “I merely spoke them with my lips,” but rather, “I hid them in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”
For those who truly seek understanding, Scripture serves as their guide. Just as a bridle restrains and directs a horse, so too does reading guide and discipline us. A ship cannot be built without nails, nor can a righteous person exist without the study of books. Just as a child is held under the authority of his parents, so too is a righteous person bound to the reading of Scripture. “I will meditate on Thy commandments, and I will understand Thy ways” (Psalm 118:15). Let us find no greater joy or delight than in the reading of Scripture. The beauty of a ship is its sail, and the beauty of a righteous person is his devotion to reading. “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Psalm 118:18). Here, “eyes” refers to understanding and the discernment of the heart. And further, “Hide not Thy commandments from me” (Psalm 118:19)—not meaning that they should not be hidden from his physical sight, but from his heart and understanding.
Those who despise learning will never gain wisdom. But as for you, seek it out and desire it. Blessed Gregory said that God requires three things from every baptized person: true faith from the soul, truth from the tongue, and purity from the mind.
O man! Thou hast received all things from God: reason and understanding, skill and wisdom. Everything on earth, in the air, in the waters, and in the mountains has been given to thee for sustenance. Therefore, if thou offerest in return righteousness, love, meekness, humility, and almsgiving, then the Lord shall grant thee gifts in return, “which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
O man! You are still in the marketplace of life; while the market is yet open, purchase for yourself mercy from God through almsgiving, eternal glory through humility, unending life through righteousness, the incorruptible crown through purity, entrance into paradise through meekness, the song of the angels through prayer, rest through labor, the vision of the unseen God through vigilance, and the enjoyment of eternal blessings through fasting and thirst.
O man, if wisdom and understanding are at the head of your life, then the Kingdom of Heaven is near to you. If your eyes are fixed upward, then they are set toward God; but if they are turned downward, then they gaze upon the earth, to which you will soon return. If in your right ear you hear the good words of books, and in your left ear you hear the cries of the poor, if your nostrils breathe forth sighs of repentance for sin, if your tongue speaks truth, if your lips utter prayer, if your right hand is stretched forth in almsgiving, and your left hand is used to turn away from evil—if in your heart there is no anger, if your body is kept in purity, if your stomach is ruled by hunger, if your knees are bent in worship before God, and your feet walk toward the house of prayer—then even the members of your body will not be separated from Him. For it is written: “Cursed are they that do err from Thy commandments” (Psalm 118:21).
Therefore, the Psalmist himself praises God, saying: “How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 118:103), and again: “Thy law is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (Psalm 118:72). And he cries out: “I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil” (Psalm 118:162). He calls the words of God a great treasure, as if saying, “I, who am unworthy of such a gift, have been granted the blessing of meditating upon Thy words day and night.”
So, brethren, let us understand the power of studying the holy and divine books. Listen to the lives of Saint Basil the Great, Saint Cyril the Philosopher, and many other saints—how, from their youth, they devoted themselves to the study of holy books, and from there were led to every other good work. See how the foundation of every good deed is the study of the holy books.
Therefore, brethren, let us strive to follow their path, imitate their good works, and continually study the words of the Scriptures, doing the will of God as they teach us, so that we may be found worthy of eternal life.
Learn, O faithful one, to be a laborer of righteousness, and live according to the word of the Gospel. Guide your eyes rightly, bring your body into submission, humble your mind, keep your thoughts pure, and put away anger. Strive to do good for the sake of the Lord: if you are wronged, do not seek revenge; if you are hated, love in return; if you are persecuted, endure patiently; if you are reviled, pray for your enemies.
Put sin to death, crucify yourself with Christ, and place all your love upon the Lord. Then you will find yourself among the hosts of angels, the assemblies of the firstborn, the thrones of the apostles, the staffs of the patriarchs, the crowns of the martyrs, and the praises of the righteous. Consider yourself poor, dying each day, and becoming dust. Say, “I am not worthy, as a sinner, even to lift my eyes upon the faces of men.” By keeping such thoughts always in your heart, you will be able to find salvation in Christ Jesus, our Lord, to whom be glory forever. Amen.